Young, thriving — and good — opponents ahead
ATLANTA — Whenever the Giants hear they are too old to win, they counter that experience and calm under fire can overcome youth and athleticism.
Step into the laboratory, boys. You are about to find out.
The Giants, who have the second-oldest roster in the National League per ESPN, will face three of the four youngest teams on a 10-game trip that begins Friday night at SunTrust Park. All have better records than the Giants, who are 16-15.
The Giants (average age 29.5 years, including players on the disabled list) will face the Braves (27.7) for three games before heading north for four against the Phillies (26.6), who have the youngest roster in the league, and three against the Pirates (27.4).
“It should be a fun challenge,” catcher Buster Posey said. “I’m looking forward to seeing those teams.”
The “Baby Braves” (19-11) are in first place in the NL East. They start the two youngest position players in the majors.
Their 21-year-old leadoff hitter, Ozzie Albies, has 23 extra-base hits, including 10 home runs. Ronald Acuña, who bats second and is the youngest player in the majors at 20, has begun his big-league career hitting .382 with a 1.138 OPS in 34 at-bats, for now answering his hype as the majors’ No. 2 prospect behind the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani.
If they get on base, geriatric Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis, both hitting over .300, can get them home. That has happened often. The Braves lead the NL in runs.
D.J. Snelten, the Giants’ rookie reliever, has faced Albies in the Class A South Atlantic League and Acuña in the Arizona Fall League.
“They’re both very talented players,” Snelten said. “I remember playing against Albies in Rome, Ga., a lot. He likes to put the ball in play. He tries to put it to all sides of the field. I remember guys used to joke when we played them saying Ozzie Albies couldn’t get out if he tried.
“Acuña’s got a very powerful swing. Obviously, a lot of people know about him already. He showed a lot in the Fall League and showed a lot of promise as a future star prospect.”
The Phillies have soared since some of the players convinced numbers-obsessed rookie manager Gabe Kapler that he cannot run every game like Game 7 of the World Series. They have their own bounty of promising younger players, including heralded rookie second baseman Scott Kingery.
Posey has a lot of cramming ahead.
“As best as we can, as far as a pitching standpoint, it’s getting a good feel for what some of these younger hitters’ strengths are and trying to pitch away from the strengths a little bit, at the same time staying true to the guy who’s on the mound,” Posey said.
“I think regardless of who you’re playing, it’s going to boil down to execution. A lot of those guys, it’s a small sample size, so you don’t have a lot to go on. As good as scouting is in the minor leagues now, there is a little more information.”